The growth in multicore and multiprocessor architectures is being driven by demand for more sophisticated feature sets, advanced user interfaces, and perpetual connectivity in next-generation embedded devices. According to data from VDC Research, use of multicore and/or multiprocessor designs is expected to grow by almost 75% in the next two years. Their data also shows that multicore and multiprocessor software projects are 4.5X more expensive, have 25% longer schedules, and require almost 3X as many software engineers. These business impacts are driving software teams to search for advanced development tools to contain and reduce these costs and associated risks.

"Our data shows that software projects using multicore and/or multiprocessor architectures have become larger, longer, and farther behind schedule than those utilizing single processor designs," says Chris Rommel, Senior Analyst, Embedded Software & Tools Practice, VDC Research. "Combined with the fact that software engineers are generally underwhelmed with the development tools that can handle this level of complexity, Klocwork’s new capabilities should be a welcome addition to the mix."

Klocwork’s static analysis engine, Klocwork Truepath™, has been enhanced to address two critical issues related to multicore and multiprocessor development:

Endian incompatibilities – Heterogeneous processor architectures require developers to ensure that their data interaction with the target processor is in the proper endian format. This is a costly and complicated problem when developing on large systems with multiple processors or during a porting effort. Klocwork’s new analysis capabilities will flag instances where data is being transmitted to or from the target without being transformed.

Concurrency defects – Multicore development can present challenges to software developers when ensuring parallel processes don’t conflict with one another. Software deadlocks are an example of the type of issues developers need to deal with in this domain. These issues are difficult to identify and reproduce but with Klocwork’s new analysis capabilities, developers can analyze the whole program space to identify situations where potential conflicts occur.

"We have been working closely with our largest customers to deliver these new capabilities to facilitate high-quality software development in next-generation architectures," says Mike Laginski, Chief Executive Officer, Klocwork. "The message from these customers has been clear – multicore and multiprocessor devices are now a fundamental part of their development, and they require sophisticated tools to manage this complexity and risk."

These new capabilities will be generally available as part of Klocwork Insight™ 9.2 in October 2010.

Get deeper, more technical insight into how Klocwork addresses endian and concurrency issues by downloading our latest white paper, authored by CTO Gwyn Fisher. Mr. Fisher will also be speaking at ESC Boston, September 21 at 12:45pm in Room 109.

About Klocwork

Klocwork helps developers create more secure and reliable software. Our tools analyze source code on-the-fly, simplify peer code reviews, and extend the life of complex software. Over 1000 customers, including the biggest brands in the mobile device, consumer electronics, medical technologies, telecom, military and aerospace sectors, have made Klocwork part of their software development process. Thousands of software developers, architects, and development managers rely on our tools everyday to improve their productivity while creating better software.

Klocwork and Klocwork Truepath are registered trademarks of Klocwork Inc in the United States and/or other countries. All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

About the Author:
Meranda Powers

Having spent the last 12 years in various marketing communications roles within technology companies, I’m currently responsible for Klocwork’s outbound programs and PR. Most days, you’ll find me writing about our latest success or planning and executing a new program to spread the word about Klocwork. And from time-to-time, I like to torture co-workers with unsolicited cat videos.